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A great disservice
Your article regarding the faith of John Kerry and President Bush was excellent ("Praying for votes," Oct. 9). As a Catholic, I think that John Kerry is doing my church a great disservice by proclaiming his Catholicity but failing to stand up for life and taking liberal stands on other moral issues. I am supporting George Bush and praying that my fellow Catholics and other Christians support him as well. God bless and keep up the good work. -Tom Kavanaugh; Tinley Park, Ill.
After years of vilifying religious folks as "dangerous right-wing extremists," suddenly the Democrats want our votes. Pro-life voices were drowned out at the Democratic Convention, so why is there suddenly room for them at the ballot box (so long as they vote quietly and then go away)? Can it be that we are not an extremist minority after all? -Nathan Snell; Lancaster, Pa.
After watching the final presidential debate last evening, I believe your article was mistitled. President Bush is not praying for votes; he is praying for wisdom and guidance. Mr. Kerry isn't praying for votes; he's pandering for them. A more apt headline, in his case, would have been "Preying for votes." -C. Douglas Moody; Columbus, Ohio
As a Catholic, I am calling on the Church to excommunicate John Kerry. Mr. Kerry has failed by word and deed to uphold the teachings of the Church by divorcing and remarrying outside the Church and supporting abortion and homosexuality. -David Kuhle; Hazel Green, Wis.
I found Mr. Land's comments about Methodism just as offensive as I find Mr. Kerry's embellishment of the demagoguery against Mr. Bush. For Mr. Land to liken our theology to "trying to nail Jell-O to a tree" reeks of a judgmental attitude. -David L. Propes; Lawrenceville, Ga.
No match
I so appreciated the spirit of faith in Joel Belz's article on Dan Rather and the decline of the major media ("Rather likely," Oct. 9). While it is good to think practically about lawmaking and reforms, we can't forget that faith is the central ingredient to Christians changing the world. Abortion laws, public-school tyranny, and terrorist-friendly institutions are no match for the God we serve. -Jaime Riddle; Burlington, Mass.
ABC Political Director Mark Halperin is even a greater example of media bias than Dan Rather. ABC News left Mr. Halperin in place despite the network's admission that he wrote a memo that seems to direct ABC reporters, anchors, and producers to downplay the misstatements of Mr. Kerry and attack any misstatements by Mr. Bush. -Jim Soderberg; Sandpoint, Idaho
Serving as a local elected official, I experience monthly the pain of reading inaccurate, incomplete reporting in my local paper regarding our public meetings. It is a shame that only glaring lies like those of CBS are what wake viewers up to how we are led by those in charge of these outlets. -Dorothy R. Pulcher; Boyertown, Pa.
Out of touch
The comment from a producer that Mel Gibson "has a sense of an audience we may not think of off the top of our heads" ("Out of the park," Oct. 9) illustrates how Hollywood is so out of touch with the mainstream populace that they need to "consult" someone who might understand our values. -Beth Burke; Perrysburg, Ohio
Leave the towels
Andree Seu hit us between the eyes asking if we are overly righteous ("Overly righteous?" Oct. 9). Several months ago, the Lord convicted me about my taking hotel shampoo bottles home, and I tossed those that I had accumulated-the proprietors did not invite me to take their products out of their establishment. -Liza Hopper; Princeton, W.Va.
The answers seem simple to me. Some things, like hotel consumables, are paid for through the room charge and are intended for your use-do as you wish with them. The reusable items, however, are not assumed to be yours, so leave the towels, TV, VCR, bed, and other furnishings. As for snacks in theaters, let your conscience (Holy Spirit) be your guide. If it is OK to do something, then do it out in the open, not in secret. -Bob Kennedy; Plainfield, Ind.
It's comforting to read from someone whose ethical dilemmas remind me of my own. I've realized that for a properly balanced life, I shouldn't make righteousness more burdensome than the Righteous One intends. -Scott Long; Ft. Wayne, Ind.
There is no theological or practical solution to Mrs. Seu's conundrum. But if it must be tied down, I'd say that the effect of super-righteousness is a far better witness than its oafish opposite. -Art Schmid; Marlow, N.H.
Our faithfulness and honesty in the little things are more revealing of our character than the big decisions of life. Are we neurotic or oversensitive because we care about righteousness in the little things? Or is that being responsive to the Holy Spirit's conviction? May God have mercy on those whose consciences have been seared because they brushed off the little things with excuses and justifications time after time. Compromise in the little things usually leads to compromise in the bigger things. -Ruth Reitmeier; Houston, Texas
Cowboy up
Long live the cowboy! Cowboys shoot straight, watch their backs, honor God and country, fight for truth and justice, and ride to the rescue. What an honorable title to bestow upon President Bush ("Horse play," Oct. 2). -Linda Truman; Louisburg, Kan.
Choices
Health "insurance" does not equal health "care," unless you happen to be an insurance company ("Elegant solution," Oct. 2). Many people go without insurance because they don't want to enrich the insurance companies to the tune of $10,000 per year only to have to pay co-pays and then be denied full payment for procedures. Then there are the Christian groups that help one another, and now, thankfully, we will be able to choose Health Savings Accounts and actually be able to control our own healthcare choices. -Sally Noran; Lake Toxaway, N.C.
Balancing pucks
I really appreciated "The system" (Oct. 2). As a participant in high-school athletics, I have seen some of my peers become engrossed in their sports so that few other things in life hold importance. Sports can teach fine qualities including team effort, hard work, and submission to authority. The problem emerges when the balance between sports, school, church, and family is lost. -Elizabeth Buhr, 17; Detroit Lakes, Minn.
Saved from doubt
I agree with John Piper's premise that the Lord of Creation is sovereign and should never be doubted ("Horror and hope," Sept. 25). But as a sinner, I hope I can find forgiveness even should I have moments of doubt. Christ saved His doubting disciples from the physical storms on the Sea of Galilee. I trust that He will save us when the storms of life overtake and seemingly overwhelm us. -Eric W. Valentine; La Grande, Ore.
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